Yale's Psych PhD programs

[deleted197895]

Could I please get some student feedback related to Yale's psych programs? I have my heart set on Yale because of personal relocation issues. But I'm at a crossroads between three of Yale's psych programs: clinical, developmental, and social. The ordering indicates some preference, although clinical and developmental are almost equal in terms of my interest level.

So, now I am wondering how do these programs compare? Which program is most prestigious? Which program has the best student support-- both financial support and also students just overall being pleased with their time in the program? Also, what are Yale's research strengths (what areas would they have tons of faculty/experts, lots of training grants-- ex, aging, infancy, anxiety disorders, etc.)?

I'm just trying to get some blunt honesty from students, recent grads, or those familiar with these programs. Thanks in advance for reading! 🙂

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[cara susanna]

You should worry more about research/clinical match than the specific school, IMO.

 

[deleted197895]

O.O

Yes... but that's why I want a student's opinion. I know what I like in general, but I want to hear what's good about this school's research and programs. Talking to faculty gets me almost nowhere because in general, they all play up their research and program (unless they're about to quit the university or something). And staff do the same thing over the phone too.

I mean, it's not like I'm going to be like, "oh let me study X now" because so-and-so said they have a strong faculty group at Yale. I'm just trying to get MORE information from people.

 

[cara susanna]

Okay, guess I misunderstood, sorry. I don't know much about Yale's program, but I did meet a faculty member at a conference and she was very nice. 😀

 

[okayroots06]

O.O

Yes... but that's why I want a student's opinion. I know what I like in general, but I want to hear what's good about this school's research and programs. Talking to faculty gets me almost nowhere because in general, they all play up their research and program (unless they're about to quit the university or something). And staff do the same thing over the phone too.

I mean, it's not like I'm going to be like, "oh let me study X now" because so-and-so said they have a strong faculty group at Yale. I'm just trying to get MORE information from people.

quite frankly, you may want to reconsider in applying bec. broadly speaking it appears you're uncertain whether or not to apply to the clinical program at yale. yale has an excellent program and their graduates are very successful.

you need to figure out whether or not its appropriate for you to apply based on your research interest. secondly, the faculty at yale will weigh your recommendations very heavily and who is writing it. yale does not mess around when they extend offers bec. the typical incoming class is about four. if research isn't your thing, the admission committee won't even look at your application.

case in point, re-evaluate whether or not you should apply and then proceed accordingly.

 

[okayroots06]

quite frankly, if you may want to reconsider in applying bec. broadly speaking it appears you're uncertain whether or not to apply to the clinical program at yale. yale has an excellent program and their graduates are very successful.

you need to figure out whether or not its appropriate for you to apply based on your research interest. secondly, the faculty at yale will weigh your recommendations very heavily and who is writing it. yale does not mess around when they extend offers bec. the typical incoming class is about four. if research isn't your thing, the admission committee won't even look at your application.

case in point, re-evaluate whether or not you should apply and then proceed accordingly.

unless you know someone in the program, you won't get much info unless you get an interview. again, if you know what you like, apply and see what happens. when you get an interview, you can ask questions about practicums at the yale child center.

i saw a red flag when i read you're interested in both clinical and developmental in addition to prestige factor (the programs are fundamentally different). prestige should be your last concern.

 

[erg923]

So, now I am wondering how do these programs compare? Which program is most prestigious? Which program has the best student support-- both financial support and also students just overall being pleased with their time in the program? Also, what are Yale's research strengths (what areas would they have tons of faculty/experts, lots of training grants-- ex, aging, infancy, anxiety disorders, etc.)?

Well, obviously, you need to pick your area first. It will come down to this: Are you willing/wanting to see patients during your traIning? If the answer to this is question is no, or that you could careless, then please do NOT pursue clinical, for your sake and for your patients!

My question is, if you dont know any of these things about Yale's programs, then why/how do you have your heart set on it? And I agree with others, if you are worried about prestige, rather than what fits your interests/goals best, then you are doing all this for the wrong reasons.

And by the way, If your are not geographically mobile, at leasts regionally, then psych graduate education is no going to be a pleasant experience for you, as most everyone has to relocate for graduate school (because admission is so competitive), and then again for the intership year. Just a warning.

 

[Ollie123]

Can only speak to clinical, but Yale doesn't have any "weak" faculty as far as I know. I find it hard to believe it would be drastically different for social and developmental. Some faculty are certainly more established than others, but its one of the top programs in the country - they aren't exactly going to have dead weight. Which program is more "prestigious" isn't something to base a decision off.

If you want to know Yale's research strengths, just look at their website and faculty bios, look up recent articles, and use CRISP to look up NIH funding. To add to what others have said, at least for clinical they only accept around 1% of applicants, so you need a great research match (which means narrowing your interests substantially since if you are looking at 3 different kinds of programs, your interests need to be narrowed to have a chance at even most mediocre programs let alone one like Yale). You'll also need some great research experience under your belt, and as okayroots mentioned if you are anything less than dead-set on a research career Yale isn't a good choice of school, and your chances of acceptance are basically nil.

 

[279792]

To my understanding from doing research on grad schools and speaking with my PI, Yale's clinical program is not well respected. The website clearly states if you want to be a psychologist do not go here. The program offers the bare min. of what is needed. I was very upset when I found this information out because I love the Yale community! Good Luck!

 

[PrisonPsych]

To my understanding from doing research on grad schools and speaking with my PI, Yale's clinical program is not well respected. The website clearly states if you want to be a psychologist do not go here. The program offers the bare min. of what is needed. I was very upset when I found this information out because I love the Yale community! Good Luck!

The website says that if you want to be a *practicing* clinical psychologist, then Yale is not the program for you. Yale's program is geared towards turning out academicians rather than clinicians. That does not mean that the program is not well-respected, merely that it is drastically shifted towards research rather than practice.

 

[edieb]

To my understanding from doing research on grad schools and speaking with my PI, Yale's clinical program is not well respected. The website clearly states if you want to be a psychologist do not go here. The program offers the bare min. of what is needed. I was very upset when I found this information out because I love the Yale community! Good Luck!

you need to get another PI, lol!

 

[erg923]

To my understanding from doing research on grad schools and speaking with my PI, Yale's clinical program is not well respected. The website clearly states if you want to be a psychologist do not go here. The program offers the bare min. of what is needed. I was very upset when I found this information out because I love the Yale community! Good Luck!

Obviously you are mistaken. Its a well respected, although research intensive, (suprise, suprise...it's Yale!) clinical psychology program. I would wager its a clincial science model program. What is good for one person is not neccasarily good for the other. It would not have been a good program for me and my goals either, but its foolish to think that its not a good (ie.,solid) program that isnt well repsected. At the medical school where my profesor's lab is housed, we regually have 2-3 faculty from Yale give grand rounds talks each year.

 

[okayroots06]

Obviously you are mistaken. Its a well respected, although research intensive, (suprise, suprise...it's Yale!) clinical psychology program. I would wager its a clincial science model program. What is good for one person is not neccasarily good for the other. It would not have been a good program for me and my goals either, but its foolish to think that its not a good (ie.,solid) program that isnt well repsected. At the medical school where my profesor's lab is housed, we regually have 2-3 faculty from Yale give grand rounds talks each year.

kelly brownell, susan nolen-hoeksema, doug mennin, alan kazdin, june gruber and susan treat are leaders within their respective field.

june gruber is an up and coming emotion-regulation researcher. very very few programs can stack up against yale - ucla is one of them in my opinion, but that a whole different thread for a different time.

 

[hamsterpants]

kelly brownell, susan nolen-hoeksema, doug mennin, alan kazdin, june gruber and susan treat are leaders within their respective field.

june gruber is an up and coming emotion-regulation researcher. very very few programs can stack up against yale - ucla is one of them in my opinion, but that a whole different thread for a different time.

susan nolen-hoeksema is a rock star!

 

[erg923]

very very few programs can stack up against yale - ucla is one of them in my opinion, but that a whole different thread for a different time.

One word: Minnesota.... Paul Meehl (although no longer with us) is my idol!

 

[okayroots06]

😴

One word: Minnesota.... Paul Meehl (although no longer with us) is my idol!

um has an excellent program. i'm only familiar with william iacono and dante cichetti but the faculty at um is first-rate.

judy garber is a graduate of um and the students who come out of um are top-notch.

 

[cara susanna]

U of Washington is pretty impressive, too.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Really, I think most university-based programs can be pretty amazing if they're the right fit. I seriously have no first choice at this point--providing funding and so on works out, I'd be thrilled to be admitted to any of the programs to which I'm applying.

 

[okayroots06]

Really, I think most university-based programs can be pretty amazing if they're the right fit. I seriously have no first choice at this point--providing funding and so on works out, I'd be thrilled to be admitted to any of the programs to which I'm applying.

well said and i also like your attitude. no matter how qualified you are, you never know where you will receive an offer or rejection. having multiple offers is seriously a blessing and luxury to have to select from.

the magic number is 1 offer when you apply.

 

[psychfangirl]

😴

um has an excellent program. i'm only familiar with william iacono and dante cichetti but the faculty at um is first-rate.

judy garber is a graduate of um and the students who come out of um are top-notch.

Megan Gunnar, Phil Zelazo, Bruce Cuthbert, and Chris Patrick are some other notables there. My experience with the students from there has been mixed - some definitely were top-notch, while others seemed more average - though I suppose that statement can apply to students from any school 🙂

 

[deleted197895]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for your replies!! I really appreciate all the feedback and helpful advice. 🙂

 

[hamsterpants]

Really, I think most university-based programs can be pretty amazing if they're the right fit. I seriously have no first choice at this point--providing funding and so on works out, I'd be thrilled to be admitted to any of the programs to which I'm applying.

I'm with you. It's kinda cool not knowing where I will end up. I'm sure any of them would be fab. but I am older (and hopefully wiser). 😉

 

[clinicalpsyapp]

kelly brownell, susan nolen-hoeksema, doug mennin, alan kazdin, june gruber and susan treat are leaders within their respective field.

june gruber is an up and coming emotion-regulation researcher. very very few programs can stack up against yale - ucla is one of them in my opinion, but that a whole different thread for a different time.

I am also applying to yale because I want to work with a specific POI. My POI responded to my interest email and said that he would be certain to look at my application because he knows I am interested in working with him. However, apparently Yale has a mixed model of admitting students. Faculty do not "take" students in a given year, they just admit the best students out of the applicant pool and assume that the numbers will work out over the years. That being said, he still said that he would look for my application, so individual faculty must have some pull even though you're not necessarily admitted to work with them.

Sorry if that's confusing!

 

[hamsterpants]

I am also applying to yale because I want to work with a specific POI. My POI responded to my interest email and said that he would be certain to look at my application because he knows I am interested in working with him. However, apparently Yale has a mixed model of admitting students. Faculty do not "take" students in a given year, they just admit the best students out of the applicant pool and assume that the numbers will work out over the years. That being said, he still said that he would look for my application, so individual faculty must have some pull even though you're not necessarily admitted to work with them.

Sorry if that's confusing!

I emailed my POI at Yale and she said the same thing. I am still debating whether to apply. It seems like such a long shot & I wish research match was taken more into account.

 

[clinicalpsyapp]

I have the same dilemma. Especially because it's also hard to say you match with the program as a whole, because it's so individualized. There's really only 3 required courses and then you pick the rest. So that tells me that they really only go through and pick the highest GRE scores and admit them. However, their GRE score averages aren't ridiculous, so I don't know...

 

[cara susanna]

Wow, so Yale is like UND in that way (don't admit people per faculty member). Interesting.

 

[LM02]

I still think match matters in a larger sense, as I doubt that they would admit someone whose interests were not reflected at all in what the current faculty were studying. At the end of the day, even if you are the most amazing applicant in the world, if there is nobody to mentor the kind of work you want to do, that is still going to matter.

The bigger problem is when the majority of applicants also have a strong research match, and the department doesn't use the "mentor model" to determine admission. No harm in applying, though!

 

[hamsterpants]

Wow, so Yale is like UND in that way (don't admit people per faculty member). Interesting.

So cara, how does that work out? Are you going to be able to study with your POI? Is it ever the case that someone is admitted but then doesn't get to study their research match? I do find it a bit confusing. I would rather study what I want to study at a much less prestigious school.

Thanks!

 

[cara susanna]

I can speak for UND but not Yale; it may be similar, however.

Honestly, research match is still taken heavily into account. People are invited for interviews, during that time they have a general interview but then meet with faculty members to discuss research and whether or not this professor would be interested in advising them. Even though the program doesn't admit x students per faculty member, you still have basically an idea of the person you want to work with and are encouraged to talk to them after you've accepted the offer, or even maybe beforehand.

If you want some more details, PM me. 😀